Extension device



Patented Nov. 17 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 111mm: PRESTINARI, or mvmmn. NEW JERSEY, Assmnonro conromrron or NEW mnsny nxrEnsIoN DEVICE Application filed February 17, 1931. Serial No. 516,371.

This invention relates to an extension device for use in connection with chains of the a type worn around the wrist for securing a watch bracelet snugly about the armof the,

wearer, and has for its object to provide a construction which may be easily and quickly contracted or expanded, and which will hold the sections in folded position against accidental detachment. I

19 Another object of the invention is the provision of an extension device which will have an opening intermediate its edges to aline with openings in a frame link chain to continue the appearance of the chain where the same extends over the extension device.

Another object'of the invention is the utilizing of the skeleton'arran'e'ement for forming openings beneaththe-chain' to form a catch for securing the bracelet sections in folded position.

A further obj ect of the invention is the provision of'a cover for hiding the catch and the space between the ends of the chain links.

A still further object of the invention 'is the provision of jaw means for detachably securing an end link of a chain to one section of the extension device.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed'in the'detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly set forth in theappended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the extension device secured in a section of chain in folded position; 7

Fig. 2 is a side elevationthereof; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the extension device moved to unfolded position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof Fig. 5 is a detail View showing the under side of one of the sections withthe end link of the chain attached thereto Fig. dis a section on line,6'6 of Figure 5; Fig. 7 is'a sectional view similar toFigure 6 showing the jaw members moved to open position and the chain link removed therefrom;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 2, showing the arms in their secured position;

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Figure 9 showing the arms moved to release the catch and latch parts which secure them in folded position;

Fig. 11 is a section on line l1-11 of Figure 9. 4-

In the use-0f extension devices for temporarily enlarging the'encircling size of a wrist watch" bracelet chain for permitting removal of the same over the hand, it is desirable to provide means for positively holding the unfoldable' sections in folded position which may be-easily operated by the user for detaching purposes. It is also desirable to provide a ready detaching means for the end link of a chain to permit one link to be removed for adjusting the encircling size to fit the wrist of the user, and I have combined these desirable features in an extension device which is open intermediate its edges to aline with the openings of a frame link chain by forming the skeleton framework of one of the sections with resilience which I utilize for releasably securing the section in folded position, and have caused the detaching means at one end of the chain to cover the securing means, thus enhancing the appearance of the chain and extension de ice as a whole; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished.

With reference to the drawings, 15 designates one section and 16 another section GEMEX COMPANY, A

Fig.8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 3; l I

which is hinged thereto as at 17 that the sec- The sections'are each of a skeleton construction, section 15 being formed of L-shaped side bars 19 having bottom portions 20 and side walls 21 which are connected together by a body portion 22 adjacent one end forming a generally rigid construction, the angular shape of the arms 19 preventing any substantial movement toward each other. The body portion 22 is provided with ears 23 having openings 24 therein to receive the trunnions 25 of the connector member 26 which is pivotally mounted therein and which has a tongue portion 27 foldable about the cross bar 28 of the end link 29 of one portion of the chain. The side walls 21 are provided at the opposite end of the section with-openings 30 which receive the trunnions 31 of the section 16 to pivotally connect the same thereto.

The section 16 consists of longitudinally extending arms 32 connected adjacent the hinge connection by brace 33, thus permitting their free ends 34 to move toward each other due to a resilience of the stock, which movement I utilize to form the securing means to hold the sections in folded position.

The securing means consists of a catch portion 35 formed by notching or undercutting the end of the side walls 21 for the reception of the latch portion formed by protuberances 36 on the arms 32 adjacent their free ends to extend into the notches thus formed to hold the sections in folded position, this securing means. being detached by movement of the arms inwardly by the laterally extending fingerpieces 37 to the position illustrated in Figure 11, thus permitting unfolding movement of the sections about the hinge 17.

The free ends 34 of the arms of the section 16 are rolled to form eyes 38 which receive a pin 39 upon the ends of which is pivotally mounted a cover 40 by means of ears 41. This cover is provided with a hook 42 at one end to receive the cross bar 43 of the end link 44 of the chain section generally designated 18, and this end link is held in such position by a jaw member 45 also pivotally mounted on the pin 39 to swing to close the entrance to the hook 42, the .cover 40 acting as a jaw to cooperate with the jaw 45. A lip portion 46 on aw 45 extends about the hook 42 to frictionally engage therewith and maintain the cover plate jaw and closure jaw 45 in clasped position. A stop finger 47 is provided at either side of the hook to prevent the cross bar 43 moving back out of engagement with the hook into a position which might am or limit the flexing movement of these parts with relation to each other.

The jaw 45 is of a width less than the width between the arms 32 at their free ends to permit these arms to move inwardly by sliding their eyes 38 along the pin 39 for moving the latch for detachment from the catch parts.

\Vhile I have described certain construction forms which embody the principles of my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes in arrangement may be made within the spirit and the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an extension device, a pair of sections connected together to fold one over the other, one of said sections having catch means adjacent one end, and the other section having portions integral therewith adjacent its end movable toward each other, due to the resiliency of the stock, latch means on said movable portions to engage said catch means and hold said sections in folded position, and finger pieces extending laterally from said portions to operate said latch means.

2. In an extension device, a pair of sections hinged together, one of said sections consisting of arms braced to prevent movement toward each other at the hinge connection, the ends of said arms being free to move toward each other and provided with latch means, and catch means in the other section to engage said latch means to secure the same in folded position whereby said latch means may be disconnected from said catch means by movement of the arms toward each other.

3. In an extension device, a pair of sections connected together to fold one over the other, one of said sections having catch means adjacent one end, and the other section having portions integral therewith adjacent its free end movable toward each other, due to the resiliency of the stock, latch means on said movable portions to engage said catch means and hold said sections in folded position, finger pieces on said movable portions extending laterally, and a cover plate connected to one of said sections for covering said catch and latch means.

4. In an extension device, a pair of sections hinged together, one of said sections consisting of arms braced to prevent movement toward each other at the hinge connection, and movable toward each other at their free ends and provided with latch means, catch means in the other section to engage said latch means to secure the same in folded position, a pivot pin extending between the free ends of said arms along which said arms slide, and a cover plate pivotally mounted on said pin.

5. In an extension device, a pair of sections hinged together, one of said sections consisting of arms braced to prevent movement toward each other at the hinge connection and movable toward each other at their free ends and provided with latch means, catch means in the other section to engage said latch means to secure the same in folded position, a pivot pin extending between the free ends of said arms along which said arms slide, a cover plate pivotally mounted on said pin, and means cooperating with said cover plate tosecure an end link of a chain thereto.

6. In an extension device, a functionally rigid section having side walls with undercut ends forming a catch part at one end, a pair of arms hinged to the other end of said section and connected together adjacent said hinge and resiliently movable toward each other at their free ends, said arms lying along said side walls when in folded position, and a protuberance forming a latch part on said arms engaging said catch part to maintain the parts in folded position but permit release by movement of the arms toward each other.

7 In an extension device, a functionally rigid section having side walls with undercut ends forming a catch part at one end, a pair of arms hinged to the other end of said section and connected together adjacent said hinge and resiliently movable toward each other at their free ends, said arms lying along saidside walls when in folded position, a protuberance forming a latch part on said arms engaging said catch part to maintain the parts in folded position but permit release by movement of the arms toward each other, and finger pieces on said arms extending laterally therefrom to move said arms toward each other.

8. In an extension device, a pair of sections hinged together at one end, a hinge pin at the free end of one of the sections, a plate pivotally mounted thereon provided with a hook at one end to receive an end link of a chain, a jaw member also pivotally mounted on said pin for closing the entrance to said hook, stop fingers to prevent an end link of a bracelet from moving from beneath said hook, and means for connecting the other section to an end link of a chain.

9. In an extension device, a pair of sections hinged together at one end, a hinge pin at the free end of one of the sections, a plate pivotally mounted thereon provided with a hook at one end to receive an end link of a chain a jaw member also pivotally mounted on said pin for closing the entrance to said hook, stop fingers at either side of said hook and engaging said plate to prevent an end link of a bracelet from moving from beneath said hook, and means for connecting the other section to an end link of a chain.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EUGEN PRESTINARI. 

